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OMB Control No: 2126-0066	ICR Reference No: 201710-2126-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FMCSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 06/13/2018
	Date Received in OIRA: 11/29/2017
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2021	36 Months From Approved
Responses	291,415	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	7,845	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	238,557	0	0

Abstract: This is a new ICR. The aim of the Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program is to demonstrate how HOS regulatory flexibility in conjunction with an optional fatigue management program (FMP) could be used to improve driver rest and alertness. Changes to the FMCSA HOS regulations must be data driven and support driver safety. In order to determine whether more flexible HOS regulations improve—or at the very least do not degrade—driver rest and alertness, a study must be conducted with commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. FMCSA has developed the Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program, a research study to collect detailed data on driver sleep and performance when temporarily granted regulatory flexibility. The collection is voluntary. Data will be collected from CMV drivers (hereafter referred to as “driver”) during their online application, briefing session, pilot study participation, and debriefing session. Data collection will primarily focus on sleep, fatigue, safety, and driving performance. The sample of drivers in the study will include those from small, medium, and large carriers, as well as team drivers and owner operators. The collection is reporting. The information reported is the identified statistical analysis of results and findings. The information maintained in records is all data collected. Driver & Motor-carrier applications, background questionnaire, 1099 tax form, WSU invoice tax voucher, and debriefing questionnaire are collected once, whereas the phone briefing information is collected weekly, and the smart phone applications information is collected on a daily basis. FMCSA has contracted with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT), with subcontracts to Washington State University (WSU) and SmartDrive to administer this study and analyze its results. The purpose of this pilot program is to demonstrate how regulatory flexibility related to the SB provision, in conjunction with optional FMP training, could be used to improve driver rest, alertness, and safety performance. Allowing split sleep will allow drivers the opportunity to sleep at times that best suit their needs. To evaluate the operational, safety, and fatigue impacts of flexible SB use, this study will compare duty periods where drivers used the flexible sleeper berth option (“split sleep duty periods”) with duty periods where drivers were compliant with the current sleeper berth regulations (“nighttime sleep duty periods” or “daytime sleep duty periods”). The research team will determine operational impacts, safety impacts, and fatigue impacts of flexible SB use.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 31133 Name of Law: General Powers of the Secretary of Transportation
   US Code: 49 USC 31136 Name of Law: United States Government Regulations
   US Code: 49 USC 31502 Name of Law: Requirements for Qualification, Hours of Service, Safety, and Equipment Standards

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 29145	06/27/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 49924	10/27/2017
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	291,415	291,415
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	7,845	7,845
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	238,557	238,557

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new ICR. The change in burden hours is due to Agency Discretion. The Agency is re-looking at the option of flexible sleeper berth allowances due to updated sleep research that suggests splitting sleep may be better than getting consolidated sleep during the day time.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $72,057

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Nicole Michel 202 366-4354

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